Operations Director

Job purpose

The Operations Director will oversee a newly formed Directorate covering a wide range of business critical functions including the Estates & Facilities, Security, IT Operations, Corporate Planning and Human Resources teams within The National Archives.

Strong operational and leadership skills are required within this role, together with the ability to gain a deep understanding of The National Archives’ strategic objectives, to ensure the provision of quality services that reflect our core values.

Priorities

- As part of the Executive Team, lead The National Archives effectively as an ambitious, visionary and dynamic organisation in a rapidly changing environment and challenging economic circumstances.

- Further enhance the user engagement across The National Archives’ diverse audiences in an era of increasing expectations.

- Be an active member of the wider Senior Civil Service, working with colleagues across government.

- Develop the organisation’s capability by utilising the talent of all staff, ensuring they have the skills and leadership necessary for the future.

Key responsibilities

Leadership

- Grow skills and talent within The National Archives, giving direction and leadership to nurture and encourage growth

Operations

- Responsible for the effective and efficient running of the organisation's central business critical operational functions; delivering Value For Money high quality services to internal customers to enable The National Archives to achieve its strategic goals.

- Develop and implement policies and programmes for the provision of cost-effective, high-quality corporate services which support and enable The National Archives' strategic objectives.

- Responsibility for ensuring that the organisation's corporate IT strategy is developed and successfully delivered, working with colleagues across The National Archives to translate business needs into tangible outcomes. • Ensure that HR is at the very heart of the business, viewed as a partner in contributing to the ongoing success of The National Archives.

• Ensure the timely and accurate provision of IT, HR, Health & Safety and other corporate information to The National Archives in order to help with business planning and strategic and operational decision making.

• Ensure delivery of an effective and challenging Corporate Performance and Risk Management service to the Executive Team, Board and Audit & Risk Committee.

• Ensure that The National Archives' estate is run efficiently, effectively and securely.

• As the Senior Risk Information Officer (SIRO) and Chair of the Departmental Security Committee (DSC) assume overall leadership responsibility for the management of information security and information risk, including responsibility for the Departmental Security Officer (DSO) and Data Protection functions, ensuring The National Archives has an appropriate level of protection from risk in these areas.

• Ensure the management of outsourced and contracted services to represent high quality service delivery commensurate with our reputation as a national organisation with an international reputation, whilst delivering value for money in accordance with the relevant government framework contracts.

• Responsibility for large-scale programmes across the Directorate, ensuring delivery to budget and on time.

• Responsible for chairing internal boards and committees in support of the functions covered by the role and/or on behalf of the Executive Team; including but not limited to (a) Departmental Security; (b) Information Risk & Security; (c) Health and Safety; (d) Business Continuity; (e) Sustainability; (f) Major Estates and/or IT Programmes and Projects.

• Oversee the successful management of a sizeable directorate budget.

**Person specification**

**Essential**

• Significant leadership experience in a senior operational role • Experience of managing third party service providers • Experience of working with shared services • Experience of the principles and practice of business planning • A solid track record of delivering services to complex organisations • A proven ability to drive innovation and deliver transformational change • Very strong negotiation and influencing skills • Ability to deliver through others and ensure strong buy-in to concepts and ideas • Leadership skills, with the ability to inspire and motivate people • Very strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills Desirable

- Public sector experience, or a strong understanding of the dynamics and differences of leading and working in the public sector
- An appropriate professional qualification in at least one of the main disciplines